Calling former volunteers!As part of the South Devon Railway’s 40th anniversary celebrations, the steam line is on the hunt for people who have volunteered on the line since it started running in 1969 and before. The railway wants to invite former volunteers to join in a celebration party being held on 4th April this year as part of the curtain raising for a week of special events. Retiring general manager, Richard Elliott, himself a volunteer on the line since 1965, said: “It would be fantastic if we could get some of the faces of the past to come back and join us for our 40th anniversary party, to meet old friends and to see how the railway has changed over the years. “There are all sorts of reasons people come to the line to volunteer – one thing that is a common thread is that very firm friendships are made. But people do drift away: they start families, they move far away, they take up other interests. We’re hoping to get the message out and encourage some people back to re-kindle friendships and re-live the fun they had on the line in years gone by." The South Devon Railway is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the line’s reopening, which took place back in 1969, when the infamous Dr Beeching cut the ribbon to officially start steam services running again between Buckfastleigh and a field just outside Totnes, with a week of intensive services, from 5th – 13th April. The focal point will be the visit by four Great Western Railway locomotives to augment the railway’s own fleet of GWR steam engines. The celebrations reach their climax on Easter Sunday and Monday, 12th and 13th April, when no fewer than eight former GWR steam engines will be in steam. Dick Wood, who takes over the role of general manager on 1st April, added: “This will be a brilliant week and we are all looking forward to the celebrations. It will get off to a great start if we hear from former volunteers who can come down meet up with friends old and new and meet up with all today’s volunteers, some of whom have been around since day one!”
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 The focal point will be the visit by four Great Western Railway locomotives to augment the railway’s own fleet of GWR steam engines. The celebrations reach their climax on Easter Sunday and Monday, 12th and 13th April, when no fewer than eight former GWR steam engines will be in steam. To take advantage of this offer which is available until Friday 27 March, people should phone 0845 345 1466 to pay by credit or debit card, or download the booking form. Any former volunteers on the South Devon Railway (or Dart Valley Railway as was) are urged to contact the railway on 0845 345 1466 or email us.
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